Food

Bringing Food into Singapore & Exporting

Commercial Food Imports

General Information

All commercial food imports that enter Singapore must come from accredited food establishments in approved countries. In addition, only traders who are licensed or registered with AVA can bring in commercial shipments of food.

Meet AVA's conditions for specific types of food

Different conditions and requirements apply to specific types of food. The conditions would depend on the type of food, source country, etc. For example, meat and meat products can only be imported from accredited overseas establishments.

Before you bring in any food or food product, you must also ensure that all additives and ingredients present in the food are AVA-approved. See section on Food Additives & Ingredients for more information.

While Genetically Modified Crops are not a food category per se, conditions also apply to the import of such products. See section on Genetically Modified Crops below for more information.

3. Keep to import timeframe

The following table outlines the timeframe in which the following type of products must be imported from time of slaughter (for meat) or from time of manufacture (for processed meat).

This guideline is to allow sufficient time for retail and the timeframes do not represent shelf lives.

Type of product

Timeframe (No. of months after slaughter/manufacture)

Subject to random testing

Subjected to automatic detention for laboratory testing

Import Not Allowed

Frozen pork

< 3 months

3 – 6 months

> 6 months

Frozen beef, mutton and poultry

< 6 months

6 – 12 months

> 12 months

Processed meat

< 3 months

3 – 6 months

> 6 months

4. Obtain a health certificate

Each consignment you import must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country. This is to certify that your imports comply with Singapore's animal health and food safety requirements.

5. Ensure food labels are accurate and complete

Every carton and basic packaging unit of your imported meat or meat product must be labelled with the following particulars:

description of the meat product;

the country of origin of the meat product;

the brand name of the meat product, if any;

the name and designation number of the processing establishment, if applicable;

the date on which the meat product was processed;

in the case of a processed meat product, the name and designation number of the slaughterhouse in which the animals used in the production of such meat product were slaughtered and the date of the slaughter;

the name and designation number of the establishment in which, and the date on which, the meat product was packed;

the batch number and, where the meat product is canned, the canning code; and

the net weight of meat product as contained in each basic packaging and outer carton.

3. Obtain a veterinary health certificate

Each consignment you import must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued by the relevant veterinary authority of the exporting country. The certificate must be dated within 7 days of import.

Each consignment you import must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country. This is to certify that your imports comply with Singapore's animal health and food safety requirements.

2. Obtain a phytosanitary certificate

This condition only applies to consignments from countries in the South American Tropics and Mexico.

Each consignment you import from countries in the South American tropics and Mexico must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate certifying that the imported produce is free from South American Leaf Blight (SALB) or is sourced from or grown in an area free from SALB.

You can obtain this phytosanitary certificate from the competent authority of your exporting country.

3. Ensure labels are accurate and complete

You must ensure that the containers (e.g. cartons, baskets, etc.) of the produce are labelled with the following:

Conditions to Import Processed Food & Food Appliances

You can import processed food and food appliances from any country as long as you meet AVA’s conditions.

1. Import from regulated establishments

Regulated Source Programme

You have to ensure that the processed food products you intend to import are manufactured in an establishment which:

is under proper supervision of the food authority of your exporting country, or

has a quality assurance program acceptable to AVA.

You are required to maintain documentary proof that your imported products are produced under sanitary conditions in a regulated establishment. Note that you should submit this documentation to AVA if you import the following food products:

S/No.

Types of products

1

Packaged mineral and drinking water and ice

2

Coconut milk and grated coconut, and nasi lemak

3

Infant cereals and infant formulas (Please refer to theCalculation guide for Infant formula to conduct self checking on the compliance of the nutritional composition of infant formulas)

4

Land snails

5

Minimally processed fruits and vegetables

6

Pasteurised liquid milk

7

Traditional cakes (kueh kueh)

8

Cut sugarcanes

9

Mooncakes

Importers of other food products not listed above should also maintain regulated source documentation and produce them when requested by AVA officers.The following are some examples of regulated source documents that AVA accepts as documentary proof:

Certificate of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)

Certificate of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)

Health Certificate (issued by competent food or veterinary authority of exporting country

Attestation of export (issued by competent food or veterinary authority of exporting country)

Factory licence (issued by regulatory authority of the exporting country)

If you are bringing in food products covered under this programme, you must obtain your products from Malaysian food manufacturing establishments that have been registered with the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH).

3. Submit required documents for high risk products

Some processed food products are classified as high risk and require you to submit additional documents when you apply for an import permit. These documents include health certificates, laboratory analysis, etc.

Conditions related to Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically Modified (GM) crop developers who wish to apply for the import of GM crops as food or food ingredients must submit a proposal to the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee of Singapore (GMAC) for safety evaluation before importing.

For more information on the application process and submission of proposal, please see GMAC’s website.

After GMAC has completed the evaluation and has endorsed the application, AVA will consider GMAC’s recommendations and conduct further safety evaluation on the GM crop.

Importers are advised to read the conditional approval messages in their CCPs carefully, and comply fully with the requirements indicated. Importers that do not comply with the conditional approval messages may be subjected to enforcement action.

Food & Food Products for Inspection

All food consignments are subject to inspection. Some samples may also be taken by AVA for laboratory analysis.

In some cases, consignments may be placed on “hold and test”, i.e. your consignment cannot be sold or distributed until the laboratory results have been released and the sample found compliant with Singapore food laws.

With immediate effect on 01 June 2015, all importers of Fresh Eggs coming through Changi Airfreight Centre are required to make an online booking for inspections at Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) at least 1 day before inspection, before 12:00pm. Please refer to the following guides for the Circular and the step-by-step procedure on making an online booking:

What You Need for the Inspection

Prepare the following to present to the AVA inspector during the inspection:

your Cargo Clearance Permit,

any relevant documents, e.g. invoices and health certificates, and

the consignment of food for inspection (for frozen raw meat, 1 carton is to be surface thawed before the inspection)

What Happens if Your Imports Fail the Inspection

Consignments that fail to meet AVA’s requirements will not be allowed to be sold or distributed in Singapore. Importers of such consignments will have to return or dispose of them. For consignments found to be contaminated with radioactive materials, importers are required to either return or re-export the products. Local disposal of the consignments is not allowed.

Depending on the nature of the non-compliance, the source and/or exporter may be suspended from exporting to Singapore. Importers of non-compliant products may also be suspended from importing from these sources/exporters.

Seeking Accreditation of Overseas Food Sources

All food and food products entering Singapore must originate from sources approved by AVA.

Overseas food establishments that wish to export food and food products, as listed below, to Singapore are required to apply for accreditation from AVA. Applications are to be submitted through the competent authorities of exporting countries.

Processed food products and food appliances, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables must be obtained from establishments regulated by the overseas competent authorities. No application for AVA accreditation is required.

Please see the sections below for the relevant accreditation requirements and procedures for specific types of food:

Meat & Meat Products

Meat & meat products refer to products that contain more than 5% meat content, and include animal oil and fat.

Overseas food establishments are required to apply for accreditation from AVA to export meat and meat products to Singapore. Do note that accreditation is required for all beef products regardless of percentage content.

Generally, accreditation will need to be done at 3 levels:

of the exporting country,

of the individual establishments of approved countries, and

of the products from approved establishments.

For food products with less than 5% meat content, the establishment does not need to be accredited by AVA but will need to be regulated by the exporting country’s Competent Authority. For more information, see sub-section "Approval of Products Containing Less Than 5% Meat".

Approval of Exporting Countries

Competent authorities of countries seeking accreditation to export meat products to Singapore must provide the following information for AVA's consideration:

The set up and organisational structure of the country’s veterinary services;

Copy of the legislation to control and prevent the introduction of animal diseases* in the country (or an excerpt in English if the legislation is not in English).

Licensing authority and licensing system of approved export abattoirs and meat processing establishments; and

National microbiological and residue control programmes.

* These will be specific to the type of meat the country is interested to export, e.g. pig diseases for export of pork, poultry diseases for export of poultry, etc. Countries interested to export beef should also submit a copy of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) dossier that was submitted by the Competent Authority to the Scientific Commission for Animal Disease of OIE for official recognition of the country as having a BSE “negligible” risk status or “controlled risk” status.

Do ensure that all information is supplied in English and all required documents (e.g. brochures, photographs or videos) are attached as softcopies.

3. Await AVA's documentary review

The competent authority will verify and endorse the submission prior to forwarding the application to AVA for documentary review.

If the review is satisfactory, AVA may conduct an inspection visit to the exporting country and establishment before granting approval to the establishment to export to Singapore.

Approval of Products from Approved Establishments

AVA-approved slaughterhouses and meat processing establishments interested to export new products to Singapore are required to submit their applications through the competent authorities of the exporting country.
Establishments will have to provide product-related information in their submissions, which will be verified and endorsed by the competent authority before forwarding the submission to AVA for assessment.

New products manufactured on different production lines

For each new product manufactured using different production lines from the currently approved products, provide the following information for evaluation:

Export history;

Copy of the layout plan showing the location of the new production line of the product;

All species of meat processed in the establishment:

For Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) affected countries, establishments which also process beef must provide sufficient evidence of complete segregation of the different product lines to prevent cross contamination;

Information on species (e.g., single species, mixed species) and type of meat used (e.g., meat cuts, minced meat, mechanically deboned/separated meat, trimmings, etc) in each product intended for export to Singapore;

A brief description of the processing of each new processed meat product intended for export to Singapore;

Quality control programmes and HACCP plan;

Copy of the process flow chart, which must state:

Critical Control Points (CCPs),

duration and temperature of cooking, and

core temperature of the product during cooking and the time at which the core temperature is maintained;

Copy of the latest microbiological test results of the finished products;

Coloured photographs and/or a video (in CD form) showing the various stages of processing of the products in operation;

Coloured photographs of the finished products with or without its packaging;

Copy of the product specification, including information on the shelf life, storage condition and cooking instruction of the finished products.

New products manufactured on the same production lines

For each new product manufactured using the same production lines as currently approved products, provide the following information for evaluation:

A brief description of the processing undergone by each new processed meat product intended for export to Singapore;

Copy of the process flow chart, which must state:

Critical Control Points (CCPs)

duration and temperature of cooking, and

core temperature of the product during cooking and the time at which the core temperature is maintained;

Information on species (e.g., single species, mixed species) and type of meat used (e.g., meat cuts, minced meat, mechanically deboned/separated meat, trimmings, etc) in each product intended for export to Singapore;

Coloured photographs of the finished products with or without its packaging;

Copy of the product specification, including information on the shelf life, storage condition and cooking instruction of the finished products.

Approval of Products Containing Less Than 5% Meat

For food products with less than 5% meat content, the establishment does not need to be accredited by AVA but will need to be regulated by the exporting country’s Competent Authority.

The establishment must submit documents to AVA for evaluation of the products they are interested to export to Singapore, e.g:

Following approval of the products, every consignment must also be accompanied by the exporting establishment’s declaration certifying the species of meat, source of meat, heat processing of meat and hygienic processing.

The declaration must come in the following form:

The content of ____ (species of meat), including fat, in the products is less than 5%.

The products have been prepared with wholesome meat which was derived from animals slaughtered in government approved slaughterhouses; or imported from ____ (establishment no), _____(country).

During the course of manufacture, the meat has been subjected to _____ (◦C) for _____ min.

The products have not been treated with chemical preservatives or other substances injurious to health.

The products have been processed in a hygienic manner and are fit for human consumption.

In addition, the manufacturer's declaration has to include the following information:

Product description

Product quantity

Date of processing

Name of consignee

Name of consignor

The manufacturer's declaration must be endorsed by the competent authority of the exporting country. Additionally, a certified true copy of the veterinary health certificate of the origin of the raw meat must be attached along with the manufacturer’s declaration (applicable only if the raw meat is imported from another country).

Live Poultry

Competent authorities and broiler farms should seek AVA’s approval for export of live poultry (e.g. chickens and ducks) meant for slaughter and consumption into Singapore.

Approval of New Exporting Countries

Competent authorities of countries seeking approval to export live poultry to Singapore must provide the following information for AVA's consideration:

The set up and organisational structure of the veterinary services;

The poultry disease situation and the national programmes for control and prevention of such diseases;

Copy of the legislation to control and prevent the introduction of poultry diseases in the country (or an excerpt in English if the legislation is not in English);

Copy of legislation governing poultry farms;

Licensing authority and licensing system of approved farms;

National microbiological and residue control programmes on poultry.

National Salmonella Enteritidis Control Programme:

The poultry farms for export are required to be free of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and are not practising vaccination as a means of control against SE.

All information must be supplied in English and softcopies provided to facilitate processing.

Approval of Broiler Farms

Broiler farms interested in exporting live poultry to Singapore are required to follow the steps listed below to apply for AVA’s approval.

1. Ensure that the country is AVA approved

AVA will only consider applications from poultry layer farms from AVA-approved exporting countries. Currently, only West Malaysia is permitted to export live poultry to Singapore.

2. Submit application to competent authority

All applications for AVA approval have to be submitted through the competent authority of the exporting country.

Ensure that all information is provided in English and all required documents (e.g. brochures, photographs or videos) are attached in softcopy.

Fresh Table Eggs

Competent authorities and layer farms are required to seek AVA’s approval for export of fresh table hen eggs to Singapore.

Approval of Exporting Countries

Competent authorities of countries seeking approval to export table eggs to Singapore must provide the following information for AVA's consideration:

The set up and organisational structure of the veterinary services;

The poultry disease situation and the national programmes for control and prevention of such diseases;

Copy of the legislation to control and prevent the introduction of poultry diseases in the country (or an excerpt in English if the legislation is not in English);

Copy of legislation governing poultry farms and storage, handling and distribution of eggs;

Licensing authority and licensing system of approved farms;

National microbiological and residue control programmes on eggs.

National Salmonella Enteritidis Control Programme:

The poultry farms for export are required to be free of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). If SE vaccination is practised on the farm, the vaccine must be approved for use by the competent authority in the country of export and the vaccine details (i.e.vaccine name, trade name, and manufacturer) must be furnished to AVA.

All information must be supplied in English and softcopies provided to facilitate processing.

Do ensure that all information is provided in English and all other required documents (e.g. brochures, photographs or videos) are attached in softcopy.

3. Await AVA’s documentary review

The competent authority will verify and endorse the submission prior to forwarding the application to AVA for documentary review.

If the review is satisfactory, AVA may conduct an inspection visit to the exporting country and establishment before granting approval to the establishment to export to Singapore.

Approval of Products from Approved Establishments

AVA approved egg processing establishments interested to export new products to Singapore are required to submit their applications through the competent authorities of the exporting country.

Establishments will have to provide product-related information in their submissions, which will be sent over to AVA for assessment. All information must be supplied in English and softcopies provided to facilitate processing.

New products manufactured on different production lines

For each new product manufactured using different production lines from the currently approved products, provide the following information for evaluation:

Export history;

Copy of the layout plan showing the location of the new production line of the product;

Information on species of animal which produced the egg used in the product;

A brief description on the processing of each new processed egg product intended for export;

Quality control programmes and HACCP plan;

Copy of the process flow chart, which must state:

Critical Control Points (CCPs),

duration and temperature of cooking, and

core temperature of the product during cooking and the time at which the core temperature is maintained;

Copy of the latest microbiological test results of the finished products;

Coloured photographs and/or a video (in CD form) showing the various stages of processing of the products in operation;

Coloured photographs of the finished products with or without its packaging;

Copy of the product specification, including information on the shelf life and storage condition of the finished products.

New products manufactured on the same production lines

For each new product manufactured using the same production lines from the currently approved products, provide the following information for evaluation:

A brief description of the processing undergone by each new processed egg product intended for export;

Copy of the process flow chart, which must state:

Critical Control Points (CCPs),

duration and temperature of cooking, and

core temperature of the product during cooking and the time at which the core temperature is maintained;

Information on species of animal which produced the egg used in the product;

Coloured photographs of the finished products with or without its packaging;

Copy of the product specification, including information on the shelf life and storage condition of the finished products.

Fish & Fish Products

Generally, fish and fish products can be exported to Singapore from any country, with the exception of high-risk products.

High Risk Product

Approved Sources

Chilled shucked raw oysters

Chilled cockle meat

Chilled cooked prawn/shrimp

Chilled crab meat

Export to Singapore is not allowed from any country

Live oysters

Export to Singapore is only allowed from countries which meet AVA’s requirements for a shellfish sanitation programme, including:

Australia

Canada

France

Ireland

The Netherlands

New Zealand

United Kingdom

USA

Frozen oysters

Frozen blood cockle meat Frozen cooked prawns

Frozen raw/cooked crab meat

Export to Singapore is allowed from any country, but importers are required to obtain health certificates issued by the competent authority of the exporting country.

Requirements for export of live oysters

Export of live oysters is allowed only from approved countries that maintain a National Shellfish Sanitation Programme (NSSP).

The NSSP should include details such as:

classification of harvesting waters,

monitoring programme and testing programme at these harvesting areas, and

control or contingency plans when pathogens are detected, e.g. closure of the waters from collection and recall programme/procedures.

Competent authorities of interested countries should forward the submission and its recommendations to AVA for documentary review.

Processed Food & Food Appliances

Under the Enhanced Regulated Source Programme, Malaysian establishments intending to export the following products will have to be registered with the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH):

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